BROWNSTOWN — The Braves hosted their awards program and banquet for their 2023-24 baseball season on Monday evening.

Brownstown had a 15-12 season, dropping the South Ripley Sectional semifinal to Southwestern (Hanover) 1-0. It was a rainy spring, which did not allow many teams to get much rhythm.

Braves Head Coach Duane Higgs spoke on the season at the banquet.

“It was another really good year, building upon what we’ve done,” Higgs said. These kids worked their tails off and have been doing everything the right way. I have appreciation for a good season. It was hard to get everything together with everything going on.”

“We didn’t bring home any hardware, but we still had that winning culture and attitude throughout the entire season,” Higgs said.

Trent Lowery took home MVP honors for the varsity team, hitting .365 this season with 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 27 hits, which all led the team. He also took home the Leading Hitter Award.

Dalton Reedy received the Leading Pitcher Award. The junior went 1-2 in 39.2 innings pitched with 1 save, 40 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.52. Ethan Garland got the Mental Attitude Award. He hit .306 with 26 hits, 19 RBI’s and 8 stolen bases for the Braves.

Coach Higgs spoke about the nucleus of his team for next season and some goals.

“Just to go out there and compete at the high level,” Higgs said. “We have to get better in the areas we need to and hopefully be able to bring home a sectional next year. They are all right where we want them.”

The team graduated three seniors in Lowery, Garland, and Chick Tiemeyer. The coach spoke about how ‘pivotal’ this group of players were to the program.

“These guys were leaders and have been here all three of my seasons here,” Higgs said. “All guys that have bought in and are just baseball players who play the right way and understand what they need to do.

“They will be missed and have been big for us these past few years,” he added. “The next group has big shoes to fill, but we have the right kids to do it.”

The JV team had a 5-7 record. Higgs said that he was hoping to get some more JV games, but rain did not allow that to happen this season.

He also mentioned that Brownstown will continue to play their tough schedule, which took a step up this season.

“That will continue, and it will only make us better,” Higgs said. “These kids have always prepared the right way and are always ready to be here.”

Brownstown will prepare fall workouts in August and begin preparation for their 2024-25 season.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Trent Lowery

Leading Pitcher: Dalton Reedy

Leading Hitter: Trent Lowery

Mental Attitude: Ethan Garland

JV Most Improved: Andrew Roberts

MSC All-Conference

Trent Lowery, Dalton Reedy, Chick Tiemeyer, Ethan Garland.

All-Sectional Team

Trent Lowery, Lane Pendleton